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BBC defends itself over Radio 4 interview with Anjem Choudary

The BBC has defended its decision to broadcast an interview with radical cleric Anjem Choudary on Radio 4 this morning after politicians criticised the corporation for giving him a platform to air his extreme views.

A spokeswoman said Choudary’s views on the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich had been “robustly challenged” by the Today programme’s presenter John Humphrys, adding his opinions could “offer some insight” into how the crime came about.

The broadcaster said it had given “great consideration” to its coverage of the murder and subsequent Old Bailey trial and had “carried a wide range of views from across the political and religious spectrums”.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We have given great consideration to our reporting of the Woolwich murder and the subsequent trial, and carried a wide range of views from across the political and religious spectrums.

"We have a responsibility to both report on the story and try to shed light on why it happened. We believe it is important to reflect the fact that such opinions exist and feel that Choudary’s comments may offer some insight into how this crime came about. His views were robustly challenged by both the presenter, John Humphrys and by Lord Carlile, the government’s former anti-terrorism adviser.”

Both Tory and Labour politicians slammed the interview as a mistake, while other commentators branded it “disgusting” and accused the BBC of “shoddy editorial thinking”.

The firebrand preacher was invited on to the flagship Today programme to discuss the brutal murder of Drummer Lee Rigby. Despite being repeatedly asked, he failed to condemn it.

In a one-on-one interview, he said he was “proud” of the soldier’s murderer Michael Adebolajo.

He then compared Muslim fanaticism to Nelson Mandela’s Apartheid struggle.

James Cleverly, Conservative London Assembly member for Bexley and Bromley, tweeted: "Can't understand why @BBCr4today gave Anjem Choudary so much airtime but with no balancing sensible/moderate Islamic UK voice."

Editor of the Jewish Chronicle Stephen Pollard tweeted: “Did anyone learn anything from that, other than that there’s some shoddy editorial thinking at [the Today programme]?”

Diane Abbott, Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, wrote: "I am a big believer in free speech. Opposed the war in Iraq etc But WHY give airtime to Anjem Choudary! @BBCr4today"

Paul Waugh, editor of Politics Home, said: "Can't believe Today programme has lowered itself into giving Anjem Choudary air time. And what was Humphrys doing saying 'lets do a deal'..?"

Speaking afterwards, Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich Nick Raynsford told the Standard: “Choudary speaks for a small group of extremely foolish people that do not represent mainstream Muslim opinion.”